Corbett presented an adapted version of this on-line lesson at the NNWP's annual poetry festival in March of 2011. Click here to open Corbett's packet of resources that he used to teach this lesson in a shorter amount of time than he usually takes when teaching his own students.

Poetry Festival Photo coming!

Three-Sentence Overview of this Lesson:

After listening to and sketching several scenes from the stories of Theseus and Orpheus, students will imagine a scene of themselves standing on the road of life, about to embark on a journey into the world. Inspired by the quest items taken by Theseus and Orpheus on their journeys, students will brainstorm three interesting quest items they might take with them. Using Jim Croce's song "I Got a Name" as further inspiration, students will turn their ideas into a poem. Teachers: Click here to see the entire lesson plan.

6-Trait Overview for this Lesson:

The focus trait in this writing assignment is idea development; writers' final poems will require both self-reflection as well as personal projection on the imminent future. The support trait in this assignment is word choice; word-play devices--similes and personification--are encouraged on the assignment's graphic organizer.